Frances Acker, 96

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Frances Marie Acker, 96, of Grant City, an extraordinary volunteer remembered for her selfless devotion to family and her unwavering kindness, compassion and commitment to community, died Wednesday at home.

For 60 years of her life, she immersed herself in a wide range of religious, charitable, educational and political organizations, and she was an avid supporter of her husband, Roger's, numerous community activities.

In fact, Mrs. Acker had devoted thousands of hours as a volunteer at the former Richmond Memorial Hospital, now Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay, the site where the Roger E. Acker Surgical Pavilion now stands and was dedicated in her husband's name in June 1994.

The couple married on April 6, 1947, the two-year anniversary of the day Mr. Acker escaped from a German prisoner-of-war camp. He was a sergeant squad leader, serving in the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. After fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, his squad was captured by the Germans and put on a forced march.

With six months left to his tour of duty, he was sent to Fort Wadsworth where the beautiful and businesslike manager of the post exchange caught his eye. "That's the girl I'd love to marry," he thought about the former Frances Marie Sciacca, according to a 2007 article in the Advance.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Mrs. Acker was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the hospital's Rainbow Society, now known as the Rainbow Association. She served as co-chairperson for several of the hospital's annual major fundraising projects, including concerts, art shows, the hospital's annual Charity Ball and the Pot-of-Gold raffle — and she continued to be active during the effort to raise funds for the major renovation made at the former Richmond Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Acker was an avid supporter of Catholic Charity drives at her parish, St. Christopher's R.C. Church, Grant City, from 1940 to 1950 and fulfilled her role as co-chairperson of the Glaucoma Clinic and eye banks in various hospitals on Staten Island.

In conjunction with the South Shore Lioness Club, Mrs. Acker was co-chairwoman of the Richmond Memorial Hospital Glaucoma Screening Clinics and Eye Bank from 1954 to 1968. She spearheaded campaigns and drives for the Multiple Sclerosis Society from 1969 to 1973; the American Cancer Society, collecting door-to-door from 1970 to 1975, and was co-chairwoman of the March of Dimes fashion shows from 1967 to 1972, for which she received a citation for her successful fundraising efforts to fight birth defects, as well as assuming the title of South Shore area leader for the Staten Island Chapter.

In speaking of Mrs. Acker, Anthony Ferreri, president and CEO of Staten Island University Hospital stated: "I have known Frances all my life and have always known her to be a very kind and gentle person who is selfless, and volunteered and supported SIUH and the former Richmond Memorial Hospital. To Frances there was no cause greater than supporting her community hospital."

Mrs. Acker also served on PTA committees to raise funds for New Dorp High School from 1964 to 1969. She was an active member of the South Shore Republican Club, served as an inspector for the Board of Elections and was a supervisor of census counters during the 1970s.

Mrs. Acker's brother, Joseph Sciacca, noted that when their mother died, his sister cared for him.

"She was a second mother to me," said Mr. Sciacca before adding that accolades also go to his brother-in-law, Roger, who treated his wife with love and respect and took wonderful care of her throughout all of the years."

MANHATTAN NATIVE

Born in Manhattan, Mrs. Acker relocated to Grant City with her family when she was 8 years old.

Mrs. Acker was named an Advance Woman of Achievement on Nov. 18, 1993, a title of which she was most proud — and especially so because it came on the day Elizabeth Dole served as guest speaker.

"Frances was the most wonderful, beautiful and classy lady, a caring and unselfish wife, mother, friend, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was my life," said Roger, her husband of 65 years.

Mrs. Acker's daughter, Sherri Corona stated: "My mother was always supportive, loving and always there for us as a devoted mother and grandmother. She was available for us growing up during our childhood years and instilled in us family values and to be charitable toward others."

The Ackers, who celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last April, enjoyed teamwork on the golf course as well.